Week 22: Pediatrician Interviews
Meet-and-greets, insurance checks, and narrowing down the list
By week 22, you should be actively interviewing pediatricians. This is one of the most important decisions you'll make before the baby arrives — the pediatrician sees your child more than any other doctor in the first two years. Schedule meet-and-greets with your top picks this week.
What's happening this week
The baby's eyes are formed but the iris doesn't have color yet. The pancreas is developing. The baby is practicing breathing movements with amniotic fluid. Grip strength is increasing — the baby grabs the umbilical cord regularly. Her belly is noticeably round and the top of the uterus is above the navel.
Your checklist
0 of 4 completeMost practices offer 15–20 minute visits for expecting parents. Call your top 2–3 choices and schedule them over the next few weeks. Bring a list of questions.
Office hours and weekend availability? After-hours call process? Vaccination schedule philosophy? How are sick vs. well visits handled? Average wait time? What hospital are you affiliated with? How many doctors are in the practice?
Before you fall in love with a practice, confirm they accept your insurance. Call your insurance company, not just the office — sometimes there are discrepancies. Also check if the office is accepting new patients.
If the crib is ordered/arrived, you need a firm, flat mattress (SIDS prevention) and 2–3 fitted crib sheets. No pillows, bumpers, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib. Ever. This is the AAP safe sleep standard.
Recommended products
Newton Baby Crib Mattress
Breathable, washable crib mattress designed to reduce suffocation risk. The Wovenaire core is 90% air and 10% food-grade polymer — if a baby rolls face-down, they can still breathe through it. Meets all GREENGUARD and CPSC safety standards.
Choosing a pediatrician is one of the most consequential pre-birth decisions for new parents. Your pediatrician will see your baby within 24 hours of birth, then at 3–5 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months in the first year alone. That's at minimum 8–9 visits before the first birthday, not counting sick visits.
The meet-and-greet visit is your chance to evaluate the office in person — cleanliness, staff friendliness, wait times, and the doctor's communication style. Pay attention to how the doctor answers your questions. Do they listen? Are they dismissive? Do they explain things clearly? Trust your gut. You'll be calling this office at 2am when your baby has a fever.
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